Christmas
Gesualdo Six / Owain Park
The Gesualdo Six is an award-winning British vocal ensemble comprising some of the UK’s finest consort singers, directed by Owain Park. The Gesualdo Six is committed to music education, regularly hosting workshops for young musicians and composers.
For centuries Christmas and the surrounding seasons have inspired composers to new heights of invention. The program on this recording reaches across the ages, from the eternal beauty of the Tudor church right up to the twenty-first century, with each piece chosen to evoke a sense of mystery and joy.
In the Renaissance, Advent—the weeks preceding the celebration of Christ’s birth at Christmas—was a time of wonder and reflection. Centuries-old carols tell this story, with some works presented here in their inherited form, others re-imagined by skilled arrangers. Pieces that focus on the birth of Christ form the backbone of this collection: the tableau of the scene on Christmas Eve is particularly striking, alongside music that heralds the Child's arrival and offers insight into the first few weeks of Jesus’s life. Themes and forms are echoed through the ages: two lullabies, though written centuries apart, employ coaxing refrains to be sung to console children; some of the most exquisite melodies are found in works dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
From the ensemble: "I hope that we have managed to capture something of the festive spirit, with moments of stillness set against joyful exuberance. It is music that we thoroughly enjoy singing—we all feel a certain magic when we revisit this repertoire towards the end of each year."
· Veni Emmanuel
· Nun Komm, Der Heiden Heiland - Praetorius
· The Annunciation
· Videte Miraculum - Tallis
· The Promised Light of Life
· Gaudete
· The Truth Sent from Above - Vaughn Williams
· Es Ist Ein Ros' Entsprungen
· Angelus Ad Virginem
· Lullay My Liking - Holst
· There Is a Flower - Rutter
· Canite Tuba - Handl
· There Is No Rose
· Verbum Caro Factum Est
· Coventry Carol
· On the Infancy of Our Saviour
· Love Came Down at Christmas
· In Dulci Iubilo
· The Oxen
· Away in a Manger
· Jingle Bells